Activation of aromatic rings by early transition metal ions in the gas phase. Implications for the metal-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes and nitriles

The reactions of a series of monocyclic and bicyclic arenes with early transition metal ions (Sc⁺, Y⁺, Nb⁺ and Ta⁺) and their oxides and dioxides were studied in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Ring cleavage of the nitrogen-containing heterocycles results in loss of HCN as the dominant pathway. Thermochemical considerations, secondary reactions and correlations with solution cyclotrimerization reactions indicate that the MC₄H₄⁺ product is a metallacyclopentadiene. Based on correspondence between the reactivities of a series of early metals with their valence electron counts, the reactivities of quinoline and isoquinoline and the decomposition behavior of the products, a metallacycloheptatriene intermediate is proposed for the heteroaromatic ring cleavage reaction. These results are compared to metal complexes in solution which catalyze the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and nitriles.